Signs of Spring: 2011

DH saw a male cardinal feed a female, so I guess we have one pair already.

The cardinals get pretty aggressive...we always get to see a few good fights!

I just checked pictures from last year and see that the Eastern Towhee was here last year on March 24. The year before it way April 13. So guess I'll start listening for them. Does anyone track their bird first sightings? Could be fun if you get a lot of birds. I guess you could do the reverse too. The year I had the Redpolls, the last sighting was March 23. And I usually see the last junco at the end of april right before the hummingbirds show up.

I used to..but I lost my little notebook somewhere last year and just didn't bother to start a new one.

That's when things like Google Docs, yard bird, ebird, etc. come in handy.

According to my records, I will be hosting the Grackles around the 27th of this month. And the Red-winged Blackbirds, Cowbirds, Purple Finches the last day of March.
All my folders are classified by dates.

Burn,

We've had the male Grackles and Red-winged Blackbirds here for over 2 weeks now. Two days ago there was a single female Grackle and 5 male Cowbirds join a flock of over 100 of the male Grackles.
We need 99 more females sent to our addy...to help disperse all these male Grackles into each of their own territorial happy lands!
The Grackles are costing us a fortune and keeping the Goldfinches and Woodpeckers from their feeders by making so much noise in their rambunctious nature...Good Grief! This is the most we've ever had. The RWBB's can stay, but the Grackles are more annoying than all the Starlings and House Sparrows combined. Even the Blue Jays are annoyed with the Grackles stealing their shelled peanuts!
I do wish the Starlings would give the Woodpeckers time to get their share of the suet...

On a happy note, one of our female Robins have returned...Mama #2...the one we fed mealworms on our patio...YAY! I put out her container and within 5 minutes she came right over to it...bless her heart!
I won't know if the other female Robin returned til I put out our Petunias in the porch railing planters in about 2-3 weeks. Time will tell...

Awww, Susan congrats on the Robin's return. Sign of spring down South is bountiful this time of year. Seems as if every bird down here pairing up. Even my darling Titmice.

Saw my first Chipping Sparrow of the season

I miss the towhees so much & we are not built up much more than we were. Certainly our 4 acres remain the same. It is old conservation land which was broken up into pieces so plenty of woods.

I am back home after my hip joint revision surgery. Had to stay near the Dr. and Hosp. for about 3 weeks , so stayed with my son and his wife. Was very good of them to take care of me for that long. Came home Mar. 31, and had to stop every 30 to 45 min. of the 5 hour trip to prevent blood clots. My son is staying with me unt il April 11, after that I am on my own. Can't drive until April 25 and have to use walker for some time yet, but all in all am doing well.

Have walked out in my yard with walker or cane a couple of times. Still lots of Goldfinches and they are getting their lovely new gold feathers. Haven't seen or heard the Phoebes, they should have been here some time ago. Haven't seen or heard any blue birds in the yard.

Did enjoy watching Towhees at my sons feeders , and the Chickadees.

Donna

Hi Donna, Good to hear from you that everything went well. Sounds like you have a wonderful son. Take Care of yourself!

Glad your home Donna...you take it easy!

Thinks are greening up fast here and spring bushes starting to bloom now. RWBB down by one of the ponds.

Only 46° but comfortable outside. DH has bee raking leaves off beds & I interrupted him for a trip to the post office. Marked a couple crocus which are going by so not to dig them up when the cardinal flower comes.

Just saw my first of season Chipping Sparrow.